Control mechanism and game



Sept. 16, 1930. c gr 1,776,105

CONTROL MECHANISM AND ERIE Filed Nov. 1'7, 1926 3 Shaw-Shut 1 1 -2 Q4 6 1 T q.

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Sept. 1 6, 1930. CHESTER 1,776,105

CONTROL MECHANISM AND GAME Filed Nov. 1'7. 1925 3 Shoots-Shoot 2 INVENTOR. I M

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Sept. 16; 1930. F. R. CHESTER CONTROL MECHANISM AND GAME Filed Nov. .17, 1926 3 stints-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

A TTORNEYS.

Patented Sept. 16, 1930 STATE;

earner series FRANK R. CHESTER, F NEVJ YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO CHESTERFIELD CONTRGL COMPAI-IY, 0F DOVER, DELAWARE, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE CONTROL MECHANISM: AND GAME Application filed November 17, 1926, Serial No. 148,792, and in Canada November 17, 1926.

This invention relates to a novel game of improved construction.

It is an object of the invention to provide a device of this character which may be utilized for the amusement and exercise of skill by two competitively-acting players.

A further object of the invention is that of providing a delivering mechanism preferably forming a part of a game and in which the services of an attendant are unnecessary, the initiating of play of the game being controlled by an improved mechanism which may be operated by the insertion of a proper token or coin.

A still further object is that of constructing a game of the football type, in which each player may control one team and the players-may maintain a continuance of play over a period commensurate with their skill in operating the game Another'object is that of furnishing a device of this character the parts of which will be relatively few in number and rugged and simple in construction, these parts being readily assembled to provide a complete game, the mechanism of which may be operated over long periods of time with freedom from mechanical difiiculty.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of ele ments and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and. the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a partly side elevation of a portion of a game embodying one form of improved construction of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan View of the mechanism as shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional side view of the coincontrolled mechanism for delivering; the missile and showing the parts in their normal position;

Fig. 4 is a similar view, but showing the mechanism in its operating position;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional side view showing in detail the coin-controlled mechanism; and

Fig. 6 is asectional view showing the missiie-receiving and delivering mechanism.

In these views the numeral 10 indicates the deck of the game, which in the present instance is laid out in the form of a football field having thereon two groups of figures facing in opposite directions and simulating the two teams, and further being provided with goal posts (not shown). These manikins may be formed of sheet metal and may provide bodies 11, to which a kicking leg 12 is pivotally secured as at 13; the second leg 14 being rigidly attached to the deck 10. A wire or other suitable actuating-member 15 extends within a'groove in the leg 14 and has its end bent to extend through the leg 12 as at 16 and to the rear of the point of pivotal attachment 13 of this latter leg. Thus it will be obvious that upon the wire being pulled the leg 12 will be given a swing simulating a kick, and if a missile is disposed in advance of this leg and upon the deck, this missile will be impelled in a direction corresponding to that in which the mannikin is facing.

The actuating-members for these figures extend through openings in the deck and are connected with an operating mechanism hereinafter described. At this time it is to be noted that each group of players includes one figure 17, the members of which are preferably not animated, and this figure is in each instance arranged in advance of the goal posts and acts as a guard to prevent the missile from. being projected between these posts. This figure is not fixed with respect to the deck, but, rather, has an arcuate movement, the limits of which are defined by an opening 18 therein. This figure ismounted for such movement upon an arm 19 pivotally secured as at 20 to a bar 21 and having its inner end extending beyond such bar; it being obvious that by moving this bar end the figure will he correspondingly moved in order to block the passage of a missile between the goal posts.

According to the present invention, it is proposed that a player, by means of a single control, will actuate both the goal-keeper ure and the kicker figures of one group; it being understood that two players will operate the game, one controlling each group of figures by means of separate controls and initiating attacks on his part, as well as enmounted by a pivot-pin 27 extending downwardly from the substructure of the deck 10, and the outer arm of the crank is link-connected as at 28 to the arm of the lever 19. At this time it will be observed that stop-members 29 and 30 may be associated with the frame and arranged adjacent the arm 24:, these stop-members serving to limit the movement of the latter so that the arm 19 will be given a correspondingly limited swing to thus move the Figure 17 only within'the boundaries defined by the slot 18 to prevent damage to the parts; it being understood, of course, that as the shaft 23 is oscillated this figure will be moved from one end of the slot to the other, incident to the connection afforded by the foregoing mechanism.

It will alsobe noted thatas in Fig. 1 the shaft 23 has a downwardly-extending arm 31 secured to it, the outer end of which is attached to a bar 32, the latter being connected to a. series of arms 33 secured one to each of shafts 34 extending transversely of the deck. Arms 34 mounted by the shafts are suitably connected with the wires 15. As a conse quence, as the shaft 23 is oscillated in the 3 be duplicates of the foregoing mechanism.

At a suitable point in the deck the latter is provided with an opening normally closed by means of a trap-door 35 pivotally mounted as at 36 and normally retained in the closed position shown in Fig. 3 by means of a suitable spring 37 acting upon an arm 38 connected with such door. A block 39 is slidably mounted within a shaftway 4-0 having its upper end extending to a point adjacent the door 35, and this block may be elevated, in the present instance, by an arm 41 which extends bet-ween spaced pins 42 associated with the block and arranged below the same.

Communicating with the shaftway 40, at points above that in which the block 39 rests when in its lowermost position, are chutes 13 extending to therear of the goals associated with the game door. As a consequence, it will be understood that when a goal is scored by one of the players, incident to being successful inimpelling the missile between the goal posts of the opposing player, the missile will drop through the chute and thus come to rest upon the block, and this missile may be returned to the field by elevating the block through the shaftway by means of the arm ll until-as has been indicated in dotted lines in Fig. lthe trap-door has been forced open; this trap-door subsequently exerting a camming action against the missile (in the present instance, a sphere A l) and throwing the same sideways across the deck and into playing position upon the field.

In order to actuate the arm 41 by means of a coin-controlled mechanism a block 45 is secured to the casing of the machine, and this block is formed with a coin slot 46in its upper edge. The block has a longitudinal bore within which a bolt is slidably mounted, the ends f this bolt extending beyond'both ends of the block. This bolt, as has been shown in Fig. 5, includes a body 47 formed with a slot extending throughout the major portion of its length and from its upper through to its lower edge. The block extends so that the bolt is inclined throughout the length of its slot, and the block is formed with an opening 48 adjacentits rear end aligning with a coin chute 49. The side portions of the bolt are formed with a series of ratchet teeth or shoulders 50 in their upper edges, and at points between these side portions the casing is extended as at 51 to project into the slot of the bolt. The block pivotally mounts a pawl 52 within the casing of the machine, and the forward edges of this pawl are disposed to extend into the path of travel of the upper edges of the bolt, thereby normally preventing a projection of the bolt incident to the engagement of the pawl with the shoulders 50 thereof; it being noted at this time that a spring 53 is employed to normally maintain the pawl in such position and that a stop-pin 5 1 may be carried by the pawl and bear against the upper surfaces of the block in order to prevent too great a projection of the pawl under the influence of the spring. The central portion of the pawl is extended to provide a fin 55 projecting into the slot of the bolt and extending from a point to the rear of the casing to a point overlying the coin chute 49 and the opening 48.

An arm 56 is pivotally secured to the rear end of the bolt and has its upper end linkconnected as at 57 to a standard 58 mounted upon the block, it being noted that the arm 41 is pivotally connected with the arm 56 and that the latter is formed with a projecting portion 59 presenting a surface for contact with the lower edge of the arm 1-1, which surface in the normal or retracted positiono'f the parts shown in Fig. 5 extends at an angle diverging from the lower edge of such arm. Springs 60 are connected one to each side of the arm 59 and have their inner ends suitably connected with the block l5; it being thus apparent that a constant force is exerted acting to maintain the normal position of the parts; and at this time it will be noted that a' crank is pivotally secured to the rear end of the block as at 61, one arm 62 of this crank being in the nature of a pawl, and the other arm 63 thereof extending upwardly and to one side of the block 45. A red 64 has one of its ends connected with the arm 88, its opposite end being slid ably mounted by the arm 63 of the crank, this red also slidably mounting stop-members 65, against which one end of a spring 66 bears, the opposite end thereof bearing against a stop-member 67 fixedly carried by the rod 64.

As a consequence, it will be understood that, it with the parts in the position shown in Figs. 3 and 5 it is sought to project the bolt 47, no effective operation of the mechanism will follow, for the reason that the bolt will have a limited inward travel until the pawl portions of the member 52 strike against the first of the ratchet or shoulder portions of the bolt, causing a cessation of travel of the latter. During such move-- ment the arms 56 will be rocked with respect to the bolt, but, incident to the divergence of the arm 41 and the operating sur face of the engaging portion 59, these parts will be out of contact with each other. Likewise, if a coin or token of too small a size is inserted through the coin slot 50. it will roll within the slot of the bolt until it drops through the opening 48 so that again the parts will not function. Also, if a person seeks to raise the pawl by inserting an implement through the slot 46 and into the slot of the bolt, and so into contact with the fin of the pawl, this will be prevented by the extension 51 which projects into the bolt slot. However, it a coin or token of proper size is inserted through the slot 46 it will drop into the slot of the bolt, and upon an operator seeking to project the latter, this coin will engage the forward portion of the fin 55 and, incident to its bearing against the shoulder formed in the bolt slot. will act as a cam against this fin, thereby raising the pawl so that the teeth of the latter clear the shoulders or ratchet portions of the bolt, permitting the projection thereof. This ac tion will result in the upper surface of the projection 59 moving into contact with the T lower edge of the arm 41, thereby rocking the latter to eflectan elevation of the block 39, and, as a consequence, move the missile to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4. In such position this missile will have raised the trapdoor and thrown the arm 38, as a consequence of which the rod 64 will be three to -a position at which the spring 66 will be under compression, causing the arm 62 of the crank to be rocked upwardly and extend into the slot of the bolt, thereby preventing a retraction of the latter. A slight continuance of bolt-projection will cause the coin or token to fall through the opening 48 and into the chute 49, this action being assured by the rearward portion of the fin 55 wh1ch Wlll. bear against the upper edge of the token or com, thus forclng 1t 1n the direction desired. At this stage of the opera- 7 is projected, the pawl 52 is raised to permit the continuance ot-such projection, the arm 56 operates to swing the arm 41 and elevate the block 39, the trap-door 35 is raised by the missile upon the block, the pawl 62 having moved into the slot of the bolt to prevent a retraction of the latter, the coin passes down the chute, the missile is delivered, and the parts may now return to their initialposition. I

The players may now actuate the figure groups by means'ot the levers 22, and the playing of the game may proceeduntil one of the players has scored a goal, whereupon the missile will drop downward through one of the corresponding chutes l3 and come to rest upon the block 39, further playing of the game being prevented until an additional coin or token of proper size has been deposited within the mechanism provided for this purpose and such mechanism has been actuated to eifect a delivery of the missile resting upon the block.

Since certain changes may be made in the above construction, and different embodiments of the invention could be made, without departing-from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention which as a matter of claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: a

1. In combination, a block, a bolt formed with a slot, said block having coin-receiving and delivery openings in line with said slot, a pawl cooperating with said bolt to normally prevent a projection thereof, means connected with said pawl and to be engaged by a coin or token of proper quality to release said pawl, an arm swingingly carried by said bolt, a rod connected with said arm, delivery mechanism operated by said rod, and a projection forming a part of said arm and spaced from said rod when said bolt is in retracted position, said projection engaging said'rod to operate the delivery mechanism when said bolt is projected.

2. In combination a block, a bolt slidably mounted therein, said bolt being formed with a coin-receiving slot and said block having coin-receiving and delivering openings in line with said slot, one of the upper edges of said bolt being formed with ratchet teeth, a pawl pivotally mounted by said block and bearing against said teeth and a cam member secured to said pawl and extending into-said slot to be engaged by a coin to shift said pawl to inoperative position and an extension for1ning a part of said cam member and arranged adjacent the delivery opening of said block to divert a coin through said opening.

3. In combination a block, a bolt slidably mounted in said block and formed with a slot terminating short of its inner end, said block being formed with coin-receiving and delivering openings and means shiftable into said slot to lie adjacent the end wall thereof and preventing, under certain conditions, a retraction of said bolt, means for normally preventing a movement of said bolt, and means acting to release said last named means upon a token being introduced through said coin-receiving opening.

4:. In combination a block, a bolt slidably mounted in said block and formed with a slot terminating short of its inner end, said block being formed with coin-receiving and delivering openings, a vending mechanism means shiftable into said slot and connected with said mechanism to be operated thereby to prevent a retraction of said bolt until said vending mechanism has operated, means for normally preventing a movement of said bolt, and means acting to release said last named means upon a token being introduced through said coin-receiving opening.

5. In combination a block,a bolt slidably mounted thereby, a link having one of its ends connected to said block, a lever having one of its ends connected to said bolt, its opposite end being connected tosaid link, a vending mechanism, an operating member extending therefrom and connected to said lever, means normally spaced from said operating member and forming a part of said lever and token-released locking means asso ciated with said bolt whereby, upon the latter being projected, said lever will be rocked to actuate said operating member and vending mechanism.

6. In combination a block, a bolt slidably mounted therein, a token controlled means for normally preventing movement between said block and bolt, a link extending from said block, an arm attached to said bolt and link, an extended portion forming a part of said arm and an operating member connected to said arm and normally diverging from the surface of the extended portion thereof and to be engaged thereby upon a material projection of said bolt.

. 7. In combination abolt formed with a slot, a block slidably mounting said bolt and formed with coin-receiving and delivering openings in line with said slot, ratchet teeth associated with the upper edges of said bolt, a pawl engaging said ratchet teeth, a spring carried by said block and normally urging said pawl into contact with-the ratchet teeth, a cam member extending from said pawl and into said slot, an' extended portion forming a part of said cam member and disposed adjacent the delivery opening of said block and means arranged in advance of said pawl and extending into said slot to prevent access to said cam member.

In testimony whereof I ahix my signature.

' FRANK R. CHESTER. 

